Pituitary dysfunction in childhood after [177Lu]Lu-DOTATATE therapy
Publication date
2026-06-24
Authors
Van Wessel, Karen
de Keizer, Bart
Dierselhuis, Miranda P.
Van Noesel, Max M.
Van Santen, Hanneke M.
Editors
Advisors
Supervisors
Document Type
Article
Metadata
Show full item recordCollections
License
cc_by
Abstract
Treatment for neuroblastoma with chemotherapy and [131I]MIBG can induce endocrine adverse effects, including thyroid disorders, gonadal insufficiency or short stature. Neuroblastoma can also be targeted at the somatostatin receptor, using [ 177 Lu]Lu-DOTATATE peptide receptor radionuclide therapy. Thus far no endocrine effects have been reported after [ 177 Lu]Lu-DOTATATE treatment in children. We report a first case of pituitary dysfunction, reflected as growth hormone deficiency and central hypothyroidism, following treatment with [ 177 Lu]Lu-DOTATATE for refractory neuroblastoma. We hypothesize that the GH and TSH deficiency in this case are caused by pituitary damage through binding of [ 177 Lu]Lu-DOTATATE to the somatostatin receptors in the pituitary gland. If [ 177 Lu]Lu-DOTATATE in the future becomes a more upfront treatment we strongly underline screening on pituitary dysfunction after exposure to [ 177 Lu]Lu-DOTATATE in childhood.
Keywords
child, growth hormone deficiency, neuroblastoma, pituitary function, TSH deficiency, [Lu]Lu-DOTATATE, Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Endocrinology
Citation
Van Wessel, K, De Keizer, B, Dierselhuis, M P, Van Noesel, M M & Van Santen, H M 2026, 'Pituitary dysfunction in childhood after [ 177 Lu]Lu-DOTATATE therapy', Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism, vol. 39, no. 6, pp. 617-621. https://doi.org/10.1515/jpem-2025-0426